By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Would a part-time legislature work for Michigan?
As the word gets out that such a move is being talked about, opinions vary.
"Obviously, I have some reservations about the proposal. This is my last term. However I would think that you would have to get rid of term limits if you went to a part-time basis. The two would not work together," said Sen. Ron Jelinek.
State Rep. Neal Nitz is waiting for more information about what could be proposed.
"The time limit question is a serious one. Government needs alliances and trust built over time. So term limits might not be such a good thing. If legislators are not here it will be more difficult to build those relationships," he said.
Jelinek referred to the fact that at one time the State of Michigan did have a part-time legislature, as Indiana has now. Then the constitution was changed to allow the full-time schedule.
Nitz does see some advantage to a tighter schedule.
"This is still in the concept stage. I haven't really seen what they are suggesting be done. Some parts of what I have heard I like. There would be deadline. For example if you have an end of May or June deadline to complete budget requirements, you would have to meet it," he said.
To Jelinek, part of the problem is that the government works too slowly. He doubts that cutting the legislators to a part-time basis will help speed up the passage of legislation.
"If you hire part-time labor, you get part-time work. Those running for office would have to work regular jobs too. My phone rings every day both here and at home daily with calls from constituents. Who takes care of those calls?" Jelinek asked.
"Constituent services are managed by some staff in Lansing during summer months. Would they be able to cover if we were only there three or four months of the year? Again, I am just not fully aware of what will be proposed," Nitz said.
Both men wonder, who would be able to consider serving in a part-time legislature in today's economy. Life today with its high cost of everything from owning a home, to raising children and putting them through college, seems to limit the choice.
"You have to wonder who can serve under those conditions. With the need to hold down a second job, how many employers would put up with the schedule? You could end up in a situation where only the independently wealthy or retired person could be available," said Nitz.
He said that most people do not understand the variety of work the politicians are required to accomplish. Jelinek knows some people perceive their elected officials as politicians who are often self-serving and on the take.
"The people I know are honorable men and women. I eat, drink and sleep this stuff. There are 148 individuals sitting. If you cut all their salaries in half, you won't make a dent in this $42 billion deficit. I make $80,000 per year and if you times that by 148 you will see how little difference it would make,"Jelinek said.
Nitz agreed.
"I'm not saying it's a bad idea, I just need all the details. Right now we have a wide-range of ages in the government. We have people from their mid-20s to their mid-80s. It gives government a great perspective," Nitz said.
"Whether you love or hate the governor, we're the checks and balances. Even with all the bickering over certain issues, we are still the checks and balances. I don't know if you want to leave the majority of power, to make major decisions, mainly in the hands of one office," he said.
Jelinek sees a similar move of equating cost savings to less government with a recent suggestion to send more and more of townships' responsibilities up to the county level. Locally, Niles Township is looking to propose a resolution in support of one passed by Berrien County last week in opposition of the move.
"When I first got here they were looking at getting rid of townships. They serve an important purpose. They are closest to the people," Jelinek said.
Both men agree that they love the work they do.
"I love the people. I give the job my all. I enjoy this," Jelinek said.
Nitz said he believes only a handful of states still have full-time legislatures. He does, however, caution that Michigan is not a state like Nevada or Utah where the economy is far less diverse.
"For Nevada the main focus is tourism. In Utah it is agriculture. Here we have industry, agriculture, small business, and many more issues. This would require a constitutional change just as it did in 1963 when it was changed to full-time. It was the same type of decision under the same kind of conditions that we face today. It will take careful thought and deliberation. This can not be done as a reaction or impulsively," Nitz said.